Stevalia

Stevalia Hotel & Spa is a 17-room base in Katichori, suited to a stay that mixes time outdoors with an easy return to a proper bed, a bar and a spa. The setting brings together Pelion village life, mountain surroundings and rooms that can look towards the sea or the mountains.

English and German are spoken by the hotel team, which removes one small piece of friction when you are arriving, checking in or asking for help with the day ahead. The atmosphere is more small hotel than large resort: there is a garden, a bar, a lounge-style place to unwind and practical support through reception, concierge services and tourist information.

The address is in Katichori, on Pelion, within the wider Volos area of Greece. Volos city centre is about 3 miles away, so you can use Stevalia as a quieter base without cutting yourself off from the port and the city.

The surroundings lend themselves to walking and cycling, with hiking and cycling available among the hotel's leisure options. The room categories also make use of the setting: you can choose a mountain view, a sea view or a view over the water, depending on the accommodation selected.

The choice is broad for a 17-room hotel, but the useful distinction is not the category name; it is what you want to see when you draw the curtains. Standard rooms cover the straightforward stay, while mountain-view and water-view options give the location more presence. The triple and family rooms make more sense when you are travelling with children or sharing the base with another diver.

For a couple, the double rooms with a double bed keep things simple, while the sea-view versions put the Pagasetic Gulf into the evening rather than leaving it to the brochure. Deluxe rooms and suites add more equipment, including air conditioning, television, hairdryer and a private bathroom; suites also bring practical touches such as a safe, towels and toiletries. Several room types include a balcony or a view, and soundproofed rooms are available for those who value a quieter night.

Air conditioning matters when the day has been warm, while heating covers cooler Pelion weather. Room service is available, and the hotel also has family rooms and a bridal suite. The building has a lift, with accessible facilities for guests with reduced mobility.

Breakfast is served at the hotel, and you can also take it in your room when the morning calls for a slower start. There is a bar for the first coffee, the post-dive drink or the sensible decision to stay in rather than head back into Volos, plus a snack bar when a full meal is not what you need.

Room service is available on request, and a dietary menu can be arranged on request. Breakfast, snacks and drinks are available, and Volos offers a wider choice of evening meals.

The spa is the main reason to leave the room once the day is done. Treatments include massage and facials, with a hammam and sauna for a slower recovery session; there is also a spa bath. It is the sort of timetable that asks very little of you, which is often exactly the point after a demanding day outdoors.

For something more active, the hotel offers hiking and cycling, with bicycle hire available, as well as a garden and a sun terrace for the less ambitious version of leisure. Pelion also brings winter options into the picture: the hotel has ski storage, skiing and a ski school. Families are welcome, babysitting is available, and pets are accepted.

Free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour reception cover the basics without fuss. The hotel has a lift, luggage storage, concierge services, car hire and laundry facilities, while a safe is available for valuables. An express check-in and check-out service can help when your arrival or departure does not fit a leisurely schedule; check-out is at noon.

You can arrange breakfast in your room, ask for tourist information or book help with excursions through the hotel. An on-site infirmary is available, with a doctor on request. Guests travelling by car have parking at the property, and the address in Katichori puts Volos centre around 3 miles away.

The hotel accepts pets and has family facilities, while indoor public and private areas are non-smoking. Bring photo identification and a payment card for check-in.